All those rumors of a new camera body from Canon have come to fruition in the new DSLR called the Rebel SL1. Boasting a 18 megapixel DIGIC 5 CMOS sensor, 1080 full HD video capture and compatible with STM lenses, Canon's latest tiny consumer DSLR barely registers on scales, coming in at a lowly 0.8 pounds. How's that for travel friendly?
The SL1 and the T5i (released simultaneously, with more info here) share a heck of a lot in common when it comes to raw specs. The SL1 trades in 1 frame per second for a ridiculously compact body. Without a frame of reference (like hands), seeing how much space the lens occupies on the body stumps my mind. I'm caught between wanting to believe the sensor is huge and knowing the body is tiny. It is just really, really small for a DSLR. You can see a lot of the buttons many of us are used to have been nixed to make the body smaller. Those functions have likely been relegated to touchscreen options, which some of you may like and others will undoubtably hate.
Specs at a glance:
- 18.0MP APS-C CMOS Sensor
- DIGIC 5 Image Processor
- 3.0" Clear View II Touchscreen LCD
- ISO 100-12800, Expandable to 25600
- Full HD 1080 Video with Continuous AF
- 4.0 fps Continuous Shooting
- 9-Point All Cross-Type AF System
- Scene Intelligent Auto Mode
- Compact and Lightweight; Weighs 0.8 pounds
- Compatible with Canon EF and EF-S Lenses
Canon will be releasing the SL1 as body only for $650 as well as in a kit with the EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM lens for $800.
Just looking at the guts, it appears to be just a compacted T4i/T5i. It has nearly identical specs. What do you think? Would you buy the new SL1? What would you use it for? Let us know in the comments below.
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Looks like it would be a lot of fun for traveling with that 40mm on it! I would like to feel just how small it is though...
It'd likely be used as a mount anywhere camera. Or maybe even a timelapse camera.
I would love to take it to my business trips where the profile of my 7D is too big for the scene.
I would definitely choose this over EOS-M.
so...many....mixed....emotions!!!
I agree, we need a proper scale of reference. Lets see it mounted to an 400mm f/2.8!
I don't think this is for a 400mm...
I don't know what got into Canon's mind that they decided to make this camera - frankly, I don't see the point (at least, not yet). But to be honest as well, I am rather intrigued at the thought of what a really small DSLR could be useful for. Is that a good thing? Or a bad thing? I guess, for now, I'll just keep on contemplating and see what the others think.
A funny idea to design the possibly most compact DSLR on the market. But I guess prospective buyers looking for something compact will rather choose a NEX like model.
$650 seems quite a lot for an entry-level body.
I'll still with my Sony Nex7 system for my light weight travel kit when I don't want to haul around the 5D MkII or 1D MkIII
"Camera that goes with you anywhere you go!"
Yes, camera will go but camera + lens won't go since it gets a big combination. 40mm f2.8 + this is the only combo I'd rather take instead of mirrorless. I've never seen a photographer who's taking photos without the lens but you never know what Canon is thinking and using at the headquarters!
that 40 mm is not that great a lens at anything except being shallow and bright.. this things needs an 18-300 IS in the same physical dimesions as the 40 mm THEN it would make a great traverl camera
Voigtlander 40mm f2?
Is it just me thinking that Canon just killed the EOS-M?
This is great for my wife! when she is going places with my son, i could NEVER trust her carrying around my 6d. Leave this sl1 on the Auto mode, and voilla!.. I won't have to stand her horrible blackberry or ipad pictures again!
I shoot a Nikon d3100 one of the smallest (and cheapest), with a 50 E series, no AF, no even metering, good glass but not much better than the kit... why? because is sooo small and confortable, I really like this from Canon.
I just read the other comments... people do you remember the nikon fm series... you just need one wheel. oh wait, sorry... you shoot canon.
This is a great idea, hope to see it in nikon.
D3200?